Jacobs has announced key appointments in its life sciences business, with John Cronin appointed vice-president and general manager, Life Sciences Europe, and Michael Donegan appointed director of business development, Life Sciences Ireland, UK & Nordics.
In this role, Cronin has responsibility for leading a team of more than 1,300, with a focus on providing world-class engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning and qualification (EPCMCQ) solutions for life sciences clients encompassing biologics, cell and gene therapy based manufacturing facilities, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing and related industries.
Multiple leadership roles
Based in Ireland, Cronin reports to John Noble, vice-president and general manager, Global Life Sciences. Cronin joined Jacobs as senior project manager in 2011 and has held multiple leadership roles within the organisation.
John Cronin, vice-president and general manager, Life Sciences Europe, Jacobs
Most recently, he was vice-president and executive project director, Life Sciences Ireland Operations, where he was responsible for the delivery of several biologics manufacturing projects involving large-scale production of immuno-oncology medicines.
Cronin brings 36 years’ experience managing teams in highly dynamic, high-performance environments to this role. He has particular expertise in full life-cycle industrial project delivery and he has led some of Jacobs’ largest life sciences projects, including the Bristol Myers Squibb Large-Scale Cell Culture Manufacturing Facility in Cruiserath, Dublin, which deployed state‐of‐the‐art project/construction management techniques and tools, was delivered within budget and achieved an impressive safety record on more than 6,500,000 site hours.
Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland
He started his career in the UK brewing industry. Prior to joining Jacobs, he served as project manager on multiple semiconductor and pharmaceutical/biotech projects in the US, Norway, Israel and Ireland, as well as holding a number of operations roles. Cronin is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland.
John Noble, Jacobs vice-president and general manager, Global Life Sciences, said: “We are pleased to announce John’s appointment as vice-president and general manager, Life Sciences Europe.
"He steps into this role at a critical period for our global life sciences business. As our clients respond to complex and evolving challenges, John’s deep experience in project delivery, coupled with his strategic focus on inclusion, innovation and sustainability, ensures our business is positioned to deliver holistic solutions on the transformative work we provide.”
Michael Donegan, director of business development, Life Sciences Ireland, UK & Nordics, Jacobs
Jacobs also confirmed the appointment of Michael Donegan as director of business development, Life Sciences Ireland, UK & Nordics.
He reports to Sean Sommer, vice-president business development and growth, Advanced Facilities. Donegan, who joined Jacobs as project manager in 2006, brings more than 25 years’ experience to his new role. He has held multiple leadership roles within the organisation, most recently as global director for performance and delivery, Advanced Facilities.